Leopard sighting in Bhatkal’s Navayath Colony triggers panic

Bhatkal: Panic gripped residents of Nawayath Colony in Bhatkal after a leopard was spotted in the area on Saturday night, with reports of an attempted attack on an elderly man near Mariyam Ali Masjid.

According to locals, the incident occurred around 8:30 pm when 60-year-old Hassan was returning home after offering prayers. While passing behind the mosque, a leopard reportedly tried to pounce on him. He fell to the ground but managed to escape without serious injury.

Hassan’s son Shafi said he witnessed the incident. “I was outside the house when I saw the leopard trying to attack my father. When I rushed towards them, it ran away into the bushes,” he said.

About an hour later, the animal was reportedly seen again nearly 200 metres away from the mosque. A local resident, Basheer Ahmed, said he spotted the leopard in front of his house.

Forest department officials rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched a search operation with the help of locals. Firecrackers were burst in an attempt to drive the animal back towards the forest. Search operations were carried out in areas behind the mosque, including the nearby “Mango Farm” and adjoining forest stretches, but the leopard could not be traced.

Officials suspect that the animal may have strayed into the residential area from the forest along the Sagar Road–Kadavinakatte route.

A local youth, Abdul Rahman, said he had seen the leopard near the Heggal river two days earlier while fishing. “When I flashed a torchlight towards it, the animal roared and ran away,” he said.

Social worker Noufil Kharuri said the leopard has been moving around the area for the past four to five days. He also pointed out that stray dogs usually seen around Mariyam Ali Masjid, Muzammil Masjid and Kargadde areas have gone missing recently, indicating the presence of a wild animal.

As the leopard is yet to be traced, fear continues among residents. Parents have expressed concern over sending their children to school.